Drivers named in fatal downtown Des Moines crash

The collision occurred about 5:15 p.m. at 7th and Cherry streets, next to DART Central Station, where officers taped off the intersection and placed a white sheet over the body of the person killed.
Luke Nozicka / The Register

Christopher Harrier, 34, of Des Moines, was pronounced dead at the scene at about 5:15 p.m. Jennifer Turner, 33, of Urbandale, a passenger in his car, was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Des Moines police said their evidence indicates that Harrier, who was driving a red Pontiac, failed to yield at the red light at the intersection of 7th Street and Cherry streets.

Harrier was heading southbound on 7th Street when his vehicle was struck broadside by a westbound gray Jeep SUV driven by Ayman Qaisi, 45, of Des Moines. He was also struck by an eastbound black Dodge driven by Derek Beaumier, 26, of Algona. A black BMW, driven by Srinivasan Purighalla, 52, of Taylor Ridge, Illinois, also crashed into the vehicles at the scene, according to police.